At approximately 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on I-65 northbound near the 174 mile maker (that is approximately one mile south of the SR 25/175 exit) a semi driver loses consciousness chocking on a piece of candy and crashes his semi into the center concrete median barrier slowing traffic in both directions.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Doug Feazel and Probationary Trooper Tyler Turchi has revealed that a red 2018 Freightliner owned by C.R. England and driven by Robert E. Tate, 50 of Fayetteville, NC was pulling a 2019 Fontaine flatbed trailer NB when Tate started to choke on the piece of chocolate he was eating and lost consciousness. The truck swerved off the left side of the roadway striking the metal median barrier.
The truck continued through the barrier and came to rest on the concrete interior wall of the SB lanes. Debris from the crash struck and damaged a white 2016 Jeep that was traveling in the SB lanes. The driver was not injured.
Tate was transported to UI Arnett Hospital in Lafayette with breathing problems. The NB and SB left lanes were shut down for cleanup, investigation of the crash and removal of the injured.